Kia Pro_cee'd (2013 – 2018) Review

February 2013

Kia announced Pro_Cee'd pricing

Choice of two trim levels - ‘S' and ‘SE' - both of which are new and unique to the Pro_Cee'd.

Two engines are offered in the new Pro_Cee'd line-up - a 1.6-litre GDi petrol and a 1.6-litre CRDi turbodiesel with Intelligent Stop & Go (ISG) - and both are available in each trim grade. A six-speed manual transmission is standard across the range and Kia's six-speed Dual Clutch Transmission (DCT) gearbox is also available in 1.6 GDi ‘SE' guise.

With the exception of the front body structure, several major parts of the bodyshell - the roof, body sides, and rear-end - have been redesigned compared to the current cee'd. Ring-shaped structures on centre pillars and tailgate opening area have been added in to ensure rigidity and collision safety. New pro_cee'd shares all the same external dimensions as the current cee'd save for its height - new pro_cee'd is 40mm lower than its 5-door sibling.

As with the previous generation, the rear of the Pro_Cee'd is characterised by a steeply-angled rear window and bulbous tail lamps that sit astride broad shoulders. A black lower bumper strip with a set of integrated combination lamps and reflectors help to lend a hunkered-down feel to the rear.

The five-seat interior has been designed to be as ergonomically intuitive as possible with all the on-board and infotainment controls conveniently located for driver and passengers. Practicality is improved compared to the last generation model too. Boot storage is up 40 litres to 380 litres - the same as the 5-door cee'd - and up 15 litres to 1,225 litres with the 60:40 split-rear seats folded down and there are storage compartments in the front and rear, centre console and under the boot floor.

On the outside, the ‘S' and ‘SE' grades share all the same visual cues except for the alloy wheel size and design - they are 16-inch on the ‘S' and 17-inch on the ‘SE'.

On the inside there's a sporting appearance to the cockpit with black cloth upholstery with a contrasting grey ‘mesh' design and faux leather inserts, black headlining, piano black fascia and door trims, a leather trimmed steering wheel, gear lever and handbrake.

Standard convenience features include automatic lights with welcome and follow-me-home functionality, ‘one touch' electric windows, electrically-operated, heated and folding door mirrors with integrated LED side repeaters, cruise control with speed limiter and steering wheel mounted controls. Reversing sensors and a trip computer are also standard.

Air-conditioning keeps the vehicle at comfortable temperatures whilst the six-speaker Radio/CD player with iPod and USB connectivity ensures occupants are always able to enjoy the music of their choice. Music can also be streamed to the hi-fi by Bluetooth - sharing the same technology as the car's Bluetooth hands-free phone system which can also be controlled via voice recognition.

Flex Steer steering system provides the driver with the choice of Normal, Comfort or Sport steering modes allowing them the option, at the touch of a button, of making the steering feel lighter or heavier depending on their preference.

The ‘SE' adds 17-inch silver alloy wheels with contrasting anthracite highlights enhance the car's visual appeal and the exterior door handle illumination provides a practical touch and premium feel. Inside there are stainless steel door sill plates and pedals, power lumbar seat support for both driver and passenger, automatic dual-zone climate control and automatic rain-sensing wipers with a built-in de-icer function.

The ‘SE' also boasts a 7-inch touchscreen European-wide satellite navigation system with full UK postcode functionality and TMC - this screen doubles up to display the images from the colour reversing camera when the vehicle is in reverse - and an automatically-dimming rear view mirror and keyless smart entry system with start/stop ignition button.

The new pro_cee'd is available with a choice of the 1.6-litre GDi petrol engine or the 1.6-litre CRDi turbodiesel motor. Both engines are available in ‘S' and ‘SE' trim levels and all versions have a six-speed manual transmission with ISG. Kia's six-speed DCT automatic gearbox is also available on the 1.6 GDi in ‘SE' trim.

The 1.6-litre GDi provides 133 bhp at 6,300 rpm and 164 lb/ft at 4,850 rpm. Top speed is 121 mph across all variants. In ‘S' trim, the 0-60 mph dash takes 9.8 seconds (9.5 on the ‘SE') and returns 52.3mpg on the official combined cycle with CO 2 emissions of 124g/km.

The 1.6-litre CRDi provides 126 bhp at 4,000 rpm and 192 lb/ft in between 1,900 rpm and 2,750 rpm. Top speed is 122 mph. In ‘S' grade guise, the 0-60 mph sprint takes 11.5 seconds (10.5 on the ‘SE') and returns 74.3 mpg on the official combined cycle. CO2emissions of 100g/km, also in ‘S' spec, place this stylish hatchback in Vehicle Excise Duty Band ‘A' meaning free road fund licence and exemption from London's Congestion Charge.

June 2013

Kia Pro_Cee'd GT launched

On sale at from £19,995. Spec includes suade and leather recaro seats, TFT analogue/digital dash with torque and turbo boost display. 18-inch wheels with 225/40 R18 Michelin tyres.

• Pro_cee’d 1.6-litre GT £19,995
• Pro_cee’d 1.6-litre GT Tech £22,495
• Pro_cee’d 1.6-litre GT ‘1 st Edition’: £23,995

1.6 GDI 1,591cc 4 cylinder DOHC chain cam petrol turbo: 201PS @ 6,000rpm; 265Nm torque from 1,750-4,500rpm. 0-60mph 7.4 seconds; top speed 143 mph; combined mpg 38.2; CO2 emissions 171g/km. VED Band H: £200pa.

January 2014

SR7 versions of Kia Cee'd announced Every SR7 has a higher specification than the 2014 VR7 special-edition models. LED daytime running lights, cornering lights, front foglights, automatic headlight control, privacy glass, UV-reducing solar glass, dual-zone automatic air conditioning and roof rails are the highlights of the equipment additions, depending on model. There are also new alloy wheels and colour options.

The new Pro_Cee'd SR7 slots just below the regular ‘S' grade, while the Cee'd and Cee'd Sportswagon SR7 fit between regular tiers 1 and 2. All three body styles are available with a 98bhp 1.4-litre petrol engine, while the five-door cee'd also offers an 89bhp 1.4-litre diesel.

Every version has LED daytime running lights, cornering lights, front foglights, automatic headlight control and privacy glass on the rear windows and tailgate which were not available on the 2014 VR7. Key features carried over include air conditioning, reversing sensors, a leather-trimmed steering wheel and gearshifter, Bluetooth, USB and AUX ports, electrically adjustable heated door mirrors and electric windows (all four on five-door versions). The upholstery is black Abstract, also found on the level ‘1' cee'd and Sportswagon, while the double-five-spoke 16-inch alloy wheels replicate those on the cee'd ‘2' and ‘3'. The four colour options include solid Track Red plus Silver Storm, Phantom Black and Fusion White metallics.

April 2014

Pro_Cee'd SE Tech added to range

Powered by 1.6-litre 126bhp CRDi turbodiesel engine and six-speed manual gearbox, and is priced at £22,795. It has identical insurance, economy and performance figures to the SE fitted with the same engine - officially rated 65.7mpg on the combined cycle, emissions of 112g/km, 0-60mph in 10.5 seconds, 192lb/ft torque between 1,900rpm and 2,750rpm, and a 122mph top speed. The insurance category is group 13.

Standard equipment additions over the ‘SE' include black leather seats with contrasting mesh inserts, an electric tilting and sliding sunroof with an automatic electric roller blind, heated front seats and a heated steering wheel, front parking sensors and Kia's Parallel Park Assist System (PPAS), that identifies suitable kerbside spaces and steers the car into them automatically. The instrument cluster features a totally digital LCD colour display that graphically illustrates the chosen Flex Steer system mode and the operation of the PPAS. The font size can be enlarged if required and the display can be switched to kilometres per hour for European driving. The upgraded equipment is completed with an automatic parking brake that frees space in the premium centre console for a new sliding armrest and cup-holder. A Tyre Pressure Monitoring System is also standard.

September 2016

Upgraded Kia Cee'd goes on sale

The improvements include Kia’s all-new three-cylinder 1.0-litre T-GDI engine, as well as a range of new safety, comfort and convenience upgrades.

The upgraded model will come with a new ‘GT Line’ specification, offering buyers the sporty looks and dynamics of the GT models. Changes to the ‘face’ of the Cee’d include a more angular and wider bumper, with chrome trim around the fog lamps, and a new oval-shaped grille mesh.

A similar change has been made to the rear with reshaped bumpers and reflectors. LED rear lamps complete the rear of the car while stylish new 16- and 17-inch alloy wheel designs are also now available across the range.

The dashboard receives a flash of chrome around the instrument binnacle, driver-side and central air vents and around the upper edge of the instrument panel. The central fascia panel is now finished in a high quality, anti-scratch gloss black for a more premium look.

For diesel variants, the upgraded interior of the Cee’d offers improved noise, vibration and harshness characteristics. Additional sound-absorbing materials have been adopted for the carpet and ventilation system, while twice as much anti-vibration foam has been added to the dashboard panel to cut engine vibrations intruding on the calm of the cabin. All diesel engines have also been fitted with sound-absorbing material to the engine block, oil pan and diesel particulate filter.

The upgraded cee’d offers a wider choice of powertrains than before, with all engines now compliant with the Euro 6 emissions standard.

For the launch of the 2016 Cee’d, Kia is introducing its all-new 1.0-litre ‘T-GDI’ (turbo petrol direct injection) engine. This new downsized, three-cylinder power unit has been engineered to improve fuel consumption and emissions, while offering strong, willing performance and immediate responses to driver input.

In its basic state, the new engine produces 100PS and 172Nm torque, while the higher powered 1.0-litre T-GDI produces 120PS and the same 172Nm torque.

Available with both the enhanced Cee’d range and the new GT Line variant, the higher powered 1.6 CRDi engine now produces 136PS and 285Nm torque. The Kia cee’d will continue to be offered with the 128PS 1.6-litre GDI and 100PS 1.4-litre MPI (multi-point injection) petrol engines, as well as the popular 1.4-litre CRDi diesel engine, all of which now also meet the Euro 6 emissions standard.

The upgraded Cee’d features a second new technology debut for Kia, with the arrival of the brand’s all-new seven-speed double-clutch transmission (DCT), available exclusively on models equipped with the higher powered 136PS 1.6-litre CRDi diesel engine.